The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will begin construction to replace the superstructure of the Clearwater Memorial Bridge starting this summer and continuing up to two years. The project will enhance safety, functionality and economic opportunity in the region. Constructed in 1951, some components of the Clearwater Memorial Bridge are nearing the end of their service life.
In water work will commence mid-July and consist of placing riprap. This will prevent erosion of the riverbed around the bridge foundations. Crews will be working from barges for this construction phase. We anticipate this work 5 days a week; 7AM – 5:30 P.M. and completing around early September.
Because the work is being completed from barges, the vehicle traffic across the bridge will not be affected during this stage. Boating traffic on the river may be affected during working hours and vessels are encouraged to proceed with care around the buoys.
Future improvements will include building a new bridge deck with wider lanes, shoulders and sidewalks. The existing piers and girders that support the bridge deck can be retained. The new bridge will improve the load rating of the bridge and bring it up to current load-rating standards.
Work on the bridge is currently scheduled to begin on August 15, 2023 at which time all traffic will be shifted from four lanes to the western two lanes. Pedestrian access across the bridge will not be allowed for the first phase of bridge construction, which is expected to last about 10 months. During this time a shuttle will bring pedestrian traffic including bicyclists from one end of the bridge to the other. ITD expects increased traffic congestion during construction and encourages motorists to search for alternative routes that do not use the Clearwater Memorial Bridge.
The public is invited to an informal open house at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel on Tuesday, August 8 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. PST to learn more about this project. ITD will share plans to accommodate drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists during the next phase of construction closer to the date.
For more information about the project please visit https://itdprojects.org/projects/us12memorialbridge/
Drivers can expect another work zone on State Highway 53 west of Rathdrum as construction begins Sunday, July 16, to resurface the highway.
Crews will work at night to repave SH-53 between Bruss Road and Latah Street for the next several weeks. The highway will be reduced to one lane at night with a pilot car to guide traffic. During the day, all lanes will be open.
“Unlike other projects we have underway right now, this project will only resurface the highway and only impact traffic at night,” ITD North Idaho Project Manager Joel Heston said. “At this time, we are not widening this section, though we hope to do it in the future.”
Other work zones are ongoing between Hauser Road and Bruss Road to add a center turn lane, as well as at Ramsey Road to install a permanent signal. Next month, another two-year project is expected to start within the city limits of Rathdrum to build a new center turn lane.
“We have a series of projects on SH-53 to improve safety by adding turn lanes,” Heston said. “And thanks to a $36 million grant, we are now planning to start construction of a new interchange at Pleasant View Road years earlier than originally planned.”
For details on what’s included with each project, visit itdprojects.org/sh53corridor.
Travelers are reminded to check 511.idaho.gov for impacts to traffic from construction.
HAILEY – The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will begin chip sealing Main St. in Hailey starting July 25 and expect to complete work in four weeks. Construction will start at milepost 115.6 Fox Acres Rd and end at milepost 117.3 McKercher Blvd. Chips placed during sealcoats have the potential to cause windshield damage, so drivers are cautioned to drive slow on loose chips and pay attention to flaggers and no-passing zones throughout the work area.
Chip sealing involves applying a thin film of heated asphalt liquid that is sprayed on a road surface, followed by placing small aggregate chips on top, and then compacted to adhere to the asphalt. The cost benefits of chip sealing help to extend the life of the pavement for many years.
Download image of Hailey Main St. at http://https://itd.idaho.gov/haily-main-st-image/
Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.
An entry titled “ITD Goes Above and Beyond to Keep Idaho Roads Safe” recently won an APEX Award of Excellence – the second national award recognizing the department’s outstanding winter road-clearing efforts. ITD’s winter efforts also earned a Community Service award a few months ago.
“We appreciate that our Idaho Transportation Department teams are nationally recognized for the best daily customer service and also our public service readiness 24/7 in teamwork during storms with highway partners like ISP for local community safety success,” said ITD Chief Deputy/Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney (pictured below).
The winning APEX entry highlighted some of the outstanding work by ITD crews in the recent past. It focused on the above-and-beyond efforts of employees across the state, chronicling the incredible efforts every day by more than 500 workers to keep our roads and bridges clear and open.
“The competition was particularly intense this year,” said Ken Turturo of APEX and Communications Concepts. “There were quite a few entries exhibiting very high-quality work that did not receive an award. The fact that you won should not be taken lightly.”
ITD tracked nearly 7,860 storms this past winter season, about 3,350 more than the previous winter. But despite a more challenging winter, crews kept the state’s roads clear and passable during the storm 80 percent of the time.
Drivers should plan for delays while tree removal efforts are underway on State Highway 55 between Banks and Horseshoe Bend over the next several weeks.
In conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, the Idaho Transportation Department is cutting down dead trees along the highway between mileposts 72 and 79. Crews will be on site each weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to clear dead and dying trees to minimize risk to drivers and improve overall forest health.
“While we’re dropping trees on the highway, it isn’t safe to allow traffic to pass underneath,” Operations Field Manager Eric Copeland said. “Crews will temporarily close the highway, remove several trees, clear the road and then let traffic through.”
Travelers should expect delays of up to 30 minutes and are encouraged to check 511.idaho.gov for any delays before leaving. No work will take place on Fridays or weekends.
“We are in regular discussions with our partners on how to make this route as safe as we can, not just in the winter but during every season,” Copeland said.
In late 2022, ITD and these agencies started discussions on the issues and more recently to remove the immediate hazards this summer and work together on a long-term solution to manage the highway right of way, which is maintained under an easement. Hazard tree removal is one of several maintenance actions that are authorized through ITD’s existing easement.
“The Forest Service is providing tree cutting expertise for ITD’s current operations along SH-55,” Emmett District Ranger John Wallace said. “We are happy to support ITD in their work to keep highways safe by reducing hazards within their right of way.”
Kootenai County travelers are being asked to comment on an ongoing study regarding a traffic management center (TMC) at two open houses in August or via a survey that is now available online.
Growth has strained existing infrastructure. Drivers consistently experience bottlenecks, unreliable travel times, an overall lack of readily accessible motorist information and unpredictable incident management on major routes, including I-90. That growth is projected to continue, with traffic volumes on I-90 alone expected to double by 2045.
“Our studies have already shown that a traffic management center is needed now,” said Glenn Miles, Director for the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO). “The current phase of the planning study is evaluating what it would take to implement one.”
TMCs are a common tool used in urban areas in our region and country to address growth and congestion through shared technology and resources. They bring together resources from highway districts, cities and transportation departments to allow for joint management of traffic safety, mobility and information in a region.
“Traffic management centers are really about optimizing existing infrastructure,” District Engineer Damon Allen said. “They’re already in place in neighboring metro areas like Spokane and Boise.”
Kootenai County travelers are invited to learn more by either going online or attending one of the two open houses on August 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The same information will be shared at both open houses at the following locations:
- The Black Bay Depot in Post Falls at 1211 East 3rd Avenue
- The Coeur d’Alene Public Library in the Community Room at 702 East Front Avenue.
The same material is available online now. Comments will be accepted through August 4.
No funding has been identified for implementing a traffic management center, though study results will identify what is needed and improve chances of securing grants.
The study is joint effort directed by the Idaho Transportation Department and the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization. Comments will be shared with board members of KMPO at the regular meeting on August 10.
Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiatives recently funded snow-removal equipment improvements of $200,000 at the Bonners Ferry Airport in Northern Idaho.
Improvements were completed last week. Improvements included updating an Automated Weather Observing System computer at the facility, purchasing a 135-horsepower tractor, buying equipment for the new tractor (loader, blade, snow blower and rotary mower), and buying materials to build s lean-to to add to the existing snow-removal equipment shed to provide cover for these new items.
“This has helped our airport more than you could ever guess,” said Airport Manager Dave Parker. For instance, Parker said that the airport had not been able to keep up with heavy snow in recent years, but the new snow blower and tractor will enable them to do so now. Parker also said that “having a cab to spray weeds, mow in dusty conditions, and keep warm in the winter has been a dream come true for our crew.”
As part of Governor Little’s“Leading Idaho” initiative, the 2021 Idaho Legislature dedicated $126 million of one-time funds from Idaho’s budget surplus to transportation projects statewide. The funds were split 60/40 between ITD and local jurisdictions. Construction on this project is paid for with ITD’s portion of the funds that will accelerate projects to replace bridges, restore pavements, and improve mobility in communities across Idaho.
Starting July 12, crews will start construction on a project that will sealcoat 37 miles of U.S. Highway 95 near Plummer this summer.
Crews will work on four miles at a time. Given the size of the project, work will take about one month to complete. Construction will start on the north end from Worley to Mica Creek (mileposts 404 to 421) and progress south through Plummer (mileposts 378 to 398) and then through Tensed.
For two-lane sections of US-95, only one lane will be open during the day, and pilot cars will guide traffic through the work zone. For four-lane sections of US-95, drivers can expect a single-lane closure in one direction at a time. Lane closures and reduced speeds will be in effect day and night.
Sealcoating is a surface treatment that takes place during the summer months and involves applying a layer of oil and rock chips to the roadway to add traction and protect the highway surface from the elements. The process requires hot temperatures and dry weather for chips to properly adhere to the oil.
Chips placed during sealcoats have the potential to cause windshield damage, so drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay attention to reduced speeds and no-passing zones throughout the work area.
Drivers should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.
The Idaho Transportation Department is continuing work on I-84 between the South Jerome (Exit 168) and Twin Falls (Exit 173) Interchanges. Crews are blasting rock in the median of I-84 on weekday afternoons through mid-July.
What you need to know:
- Rolling closures will occur on I-84 through mid-July.
- Delays will range from 20-30 minutes.
A pilot car will slow motorists down several miles before the blast area to allow crews to blast rock and clean up debris.
Details about the I-84 South Jerome to Twin Falls project are available at ITDProjects.org/84jerometotwin or by texting 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is seeking feedback on the just-released draft Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The 2024-2030 ITIP outlines the state’s transportation priorities and guides investment decisions for the next seven years. ITD encourages everyone to review the draft and provide comments from July 1-31.
Transportation projects included in the draft ITIP range from large-scale interstate improvements to smaller projects like the installation of a new guardrail. Projects are located throughout Idaho’s 44 counties and involve all modes of transportation. Project selection is determined through technical data, as well as input from local officials and residents.
To review the complete draft plan visit itd.idaho.gov/funding to view an interactive map that allows users to learn about projects in their local area as well as submit a comment through the portal.
- The U.S. Highway 12 Greer to Kamiah project in Clearwater and Lewis Counties is slated for construction in 2026. The project will rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway and make drainage improvements to improve the ride quality and extend the lifespan of the roadway.
- Another project will consist of improving the geometry of the roadway and extending the existing truck climbing lanes at the crest of Crooks Hill on U.S. Highway 95. It is located north of Moscow from milepost 354.60 to milepost 357.15 on US-95 just north of the US-95 and SH-66 junction. This project is slated for construction in 2029 and it will improve safety and enhance the mobility of the traveling public.
- The Rapid River Bridge to Riggins project on U.S. Highway 95 will entail curve improvements for ride quality and a minor widening to accommodate the installation of shoulder barriers for improved safety. Construction is slated for 2029 and the site will be located south of Riggins on US-95 from MP 191.17 to 194.36.
Comments will be taken from July 1-31 and can be e-mailed to itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov or mailed to:
ITIP – Comments
Attn: Office of Communication
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
Paper copies of the ITIP will be provided upon request by contacting the Idaho Transportation Department (208) 334-8119.
All comments will be reviewed and incorporated into the ITIP where appropriate. Responses will be sent in September once the comment period has ended.
After approval by the Idaho Transportation Board in September, the ITIP will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency in October. Once finalized, ITD staff across the state will begin scoping new projects. Public input is crucial in ensuring that the ITIP reflects the needs and desires of Idaho’s communities.
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